AG MYERS OBTAINS RESTRAINING ORDER AGAINST APOTHECURE

June 7, 2007

Article Content

AG Obtains Restraining Order Against Drug Compounding Pharmacy; Company's Defective Drug May Have Led To The Deaths of 3 Pacific NW Residents

Attorney General Hardy Myers today obtained a restraining order from the Marion County Circuit Courts against ApotheCure, Inc., a drug compounding, pharmacy company based in Dallas, Texas; the company's defective batch of the drug Colchicine allegedly killed two Portland residents who were treated at the Center for Integrative Medicine in Portland and a Yakima, Washington woman who was treated at her local clinic.

The stipulated order admits no law violation but prevents ApotheCure from doing business in Oregon until it obtains all necessary licenses, registrations, certifications, and approvals from the Oregon Board of Pharmacy. The order also allows the Department of Justice to conduct undercover operations to insure ApotheCure's compliance with the order.

"Both medical facilities and individuals must take the time to check out-of-state pharmacies for state licensure before taking a chance on their product," Myers said. "These compounding pharmacies appear to operate with less regulatory oversight than others leaving Oregonians at risk."

According to the Oregon State Medical Examiner's Office, the potentially toxic drug was eight times as potent as labeled. At least three patients appear to have died from the toxic levels of the drug.

Last week, an Oregon Department of Justice attorney appeared in court to compel ApotheCure's compliance with a civil Investigative Demand served on the company in May. At the hearing, the Department of Justice obtained a court order requiring production of documents.

In addition to the Oregon Attorney General's investigation of ApotheCure, other authorities investigating the deaths include the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the Oregon Board of Pharmacy, and the Texas Board of Pharmacy. The Oregon Department of Justice is coordinating its efforts with these other agencies.

Anyone with information concerning this case may call the Attorney General's consumer hotline at (503) 378-4320 (Salem area only), (503) 229-5576 (Portland area only) or toll-free at 1-877-877-9392. The Oregon Department of Justice is online at www.doj.state.or.us.